Chitosan-Based Bioactive Hemostatic Agents with Antibacterial Properties-Synthesis and Characterization

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Medical Device Development

Background:

• Massive blood loss is a leading cause of death, with current hemostatic agents often proving insufficient.
• Development of novel, highly efficient hemostatic agents is critical for managing severe hemorrhage in various settings.
• Chitosan-based biomaterials offer promise due to their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel, biocompatible chitosan-based hemostatic agents with enhanced properties.
• To investigate the efficacy of microwave-assisted synthesis using specific crosslinking agents.
• To evaluate the hemostatic, physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the developed materials.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan-based biomaterials were synthesized using microwave radiation with l-aspartic and l-glutamic acid as crosslinkers.
• Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed crosslinking via amide bond formation.
• Physical properties (porosity, density), water vapor permeability, antioxidant activity, biodegradability, hemostatic efficacy, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity were assessed.

Main Results:

• The synthesized materials exhibited high porosity (>90%) and low density (<0.08 g/cm³).
• Hemostatic efficacy was excellent, evidenced by platelet activation and blood clotting tests, with SEM confirming blood cell adherence.
• The agents demonstrated biodegradability, biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts, and potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Conclusions:

• The novel chitosan-based hemostatic agents possess superior hemostatic, biodegradable, and antibacterial properties.
• The microwave-assisted synthesis method is efficient and avoids the use of harsh chemicals like acetic acid.
• These advanced biomaterials show significant potential for application in managing bleeding under both sterile and contaminated conditions.